Safety Tips

Safe work with engines

Working with vehicle engines can present a number of potential hazards, including contact with moving parts, electric shock, burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Canada-based WorkSafeBC offers these tips to stay safe when working with engines:

  • Remove rings, metal watches, bracelets and any loose clothing before beginning work.
  • Tie back long hair.
  • Keep hands clear of all moving parts.
  • Use extreme caution around engine fans, as these may strike you, fling objects, start unexpectedly, or catch dangling leads or strings.
  • Avoid touching hot engine parts.
  • Do not run engines indoors or in enclosed spaces. Always guard against CO poisoning.
  • Avoid electric shock from battery or ignition systems.
  • Allow the engine to cool for at least one hour before opening the radiator cap. Even then, use extreme caution. Place a rag over the cap and loosen it slowly to the first detent or stop to allow residual pressure and steam to be released. Wait until all pressure has escaped before fully removing the cap. 

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George Agyei
April 6, 2020
The 5 step to take on an engine before commence any maintenance is to isolate . 1) make sure current caring cables are disconnected. 2) make sure key has been removed. 3) make sure all emergency switches are off. 4) make sure the battery cable lock has switched off. 5) remove all battery cables.

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AutopartsMiles
April 14, 2021
This is a great blog! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

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Isabella Manson
July 24, 2021
Thanks for sharing information in your blog

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Peterferry
July 31, 2021
A new thing to learn about this article. Thank you for sharing the information.

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Autoparts-miles
January 8, 2022
thanks for sharing information in your blog